UK house price growth at highest rate for 18 months

UK house prices rose at the fastest annual rate for 18 months in February after December’s decisive election buoyed the market, according to Nationwide. The 2.3% annual increase is the best since July 2018, bolstering evidence of a “Boris bounce”. Nationwide's chief economist Robert Gardner said the landslide Tory victory may have pushed buyers back into the market. However, the outlook for house prices will depend on the UK’s economic performance over the coming months, which could take a hit depending on the outcome of Brexit trade talks and the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. “There are still significant uncertainties that threaten to exert a drag on the economy in the coming quarters,” Mr Gardner warned.

The Daily Telegraph (28/02/2020)   The Guardian (28/02/2020)   The Times (28/02/2020)